MULTI-DIRECTIONAL FILTRATION ARRANGEMENT, FLOW GENERATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME
A filtration arrangement includes a filtration element and a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein. The housing includes: a first and second ends and a wall portion extending therebetween. An outlet is defined in the housing proximate the first end, a primary inlet is defined in the housing proximate the second end, and a plurality of secondary inlets are defined in the wall portion. The first end of the housing is adapted for coupling to a main housing of a flow generating device encircling an air inlet thereof. The primary and secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element. the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.
This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/929,988 filed on Nov. 4, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention generally relates to filtration arrangements and, more particularly, to multi-directional filtration arrangements for respiratory devices, such as ventilators or other pressure support systems. The present invention also relates to flow generating devices, such as ventilators or other pressure support systems, that include such filtration arrangements.
2. Description of the Related ArtFlow generating devices, such as ventilators and pressure support systems used in providing positive airway pressure therapies to a patient via a patient interface, draw air from the ambient environment and utilize such air in providing a flow of breathing gas to the airway of a patient. Such devices incorporate some form or forms of particulate and/or chemical filtration. Such filtration mitigates damage to the devices internal components and prevents foreign matter from entering the patient air path. Such inlet filters must be effective without inducing too high of an impedance in the flow path.
Air inlets of flow generating devices can become occluded, either passively or actively. Such occlusions can be partial or full. An occlusion can result from a respiratory device being physically placed in a space that could confine the air inlet (against a wall, adjacent a bed, etc.), or while operating the device could pull an object over the inlet area. Such occlusion could lead to a degradation in performance resulting in harm or even death to a patient receiving treatment from the respiratory device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs one aspect of the present invention a filtration arrangement comprises: a filtration element; and a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein. The housing comprises: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall portion extending between the first end and the second end; an outlet defined in the housing proximate the first end; a primary inlet defined in the housing proximate the second end; and a plurality of secondary inlets defined in the wall portion, wherein the first end of the housing is structured to be coupled to a main housing of a flow generating device encircling an air inlet of the flow generating device, wherein the primary inlet and the secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element, and wherein the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary inlet and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.
The primary inlet may be disposed generally in a first reference plane and at least one of the secondary inlets may be disposed generally in a second reference plane disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the first reference plane.
The primary inlet may have a primary inlet area, wherein each of the secondary inlets have a secondary inlet area, wherein the primary inlet area is sized to be greater than or equal to a minimum area of the air inlet of the flow generating device, and wherein each of the secondary inlets are sized such that a combined area of all of the secondary inlet areas is greater than or equal to the minimum area of the air inlet of the flow generating device.
The outlet may be disposed in a third plane disposed parallel to the first plane.
The housing may be disc shaped and the primary inlet may be defined proximate a central portion of the housing and the plurality of secondary inlets may be disposed radially outward from the primary inlet.
The filtration element may be of a cylindrical shape. The filtration element may comprise an open cell urethane foam.
As another aspect of the invention a flow generating device for use in providing a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient comprises: a main housing having an ambient air inlet and a breathing gas outlet defined therein; a flow generating arrangement disposed within the housing for producing the flow of breathing gas, the flow generating arrangement coupled between the air inlet and the breathing gas outlet and being structured to receive a flow of ambient air from the air inlet and provide the flow of breathing gas to the breathing gas outlet; and a filtration arrangement such as previously described.
As yet a further aspect of the present invention, a system for providing a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient comprises: a patient interface structured to be engaged with the airway of the patient; and a flow generating device comprising: a main housing having an ambient air inlet and a breathing gas outlet defined therein, the outlet being coupled to the patient interface; a flow generating arrangement disposed within the housing for producing the flow of breathing gas, the flow generating arrangement coupled between the air inlet and the breathing gas outlet and being structured to receive a flow of ambient air from the air inlet and provide the flow of breathing gas to the breathing gas outlet and subsequently to the patient interface; and a filtration arrangement such as previously described.
These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.
As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, on top of, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. As employed herein, the term “and/or” shall mean one or both of the elements separated by such term. For example, “A and/or B” would mean any of: i) A, ii) B, or iii) A and B.
A system 2 for providing a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention is generally shown in
A BiPAP® device is a bi-level device in which the pressure provided to the patient varies with the patient's respiratory cycle, so that a higher pressure is delivered during inspiration than during expiration. An auto-titration pressure support system is a system in which the pressure varies with the condition of the patient, such as whether the patient is snoring or experiencing an apnea or hypopnea. For present purposes, flow/flow generating device 4 is also referred to as a gas flow generating device, because flow results when a pressure gradient is generated. The present invention contemplates that flow generating device 4 is any conventional system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient or for elevating a pressure of gas at an airway of the patient, including the pressure support systems summarized above and non-invasive ventilation systems.
Patient interface 8 may be any suitable interface device used for interfacing any of the flow generating devices previously described with an airway of a patient.
Continuing to refer to
In order to prevent unwanted particulates from being sucked into flow generating arrangement 16 during operation, flow generating device 4 further includes a filtration arrangement 20 covering air inlet 12 that is selectively coupled to main housing 10. Filtration arrangement 20 includes a filtration element 22 and a housing 24 that is generally disposed around, and retains filtration element 22 therein. Filtration element 22 is formed from a suitable filtration medium such as an open cell urethane foam or any other suitable material for use in filtering small particles from the ambient air. In In the example shown in the FIGS. filtration element 22 is cylindrically shaped (e.g., see
Referring now to
Referring now to
In order to prevent degradation in performance of flow generating device 4 if primary inlet 34 becomes occluded, the total area of all of secondary inlets 36 is equal to, or greater than, a minimum area of air inlet 12 of flow generating device 4 (as is the area of primary inlet 34).
In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Claims
1. A filtration arrangement comprising:
- a filtration element; and
- a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein, the housing comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall portion extending between the first end and the second end; an outlet defined in the housing proximate the first end; a primary inlet defined in the housing proximate the second end; and a plurality of secondary inlets defined in the wall portion,
- wherein the first end of the housing is structured to be coupled to a main housing of a flow generating device encircling an air inlet of the flow generating device,
- wherein the primary inlet and the secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element, and
- wherein the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary inlet and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.
2. The filtration arrangement of claim 1, wherein the primary inlet is disposed generally in a first reference plane and wherein at least one of the secondary inlets is disposed generally in a second reference plane disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the first reference plane.
3. The filtration arrangement of claim 1, wherein the primary inlet has a primary inlet area, wherein each of the secondary inlets have a secondary inlet area, wherein the primary inlet area is sized to be greater than or equal to a minimum area of the air inlet of the flow generating device, and wherein each of the secondary inlets are sized such that a combined area of all of the secondary inlet areas is greater than or equal to the minimum area of the air inlet of the flow generating device.
4. The filtration arrangement of claim 2, wherein the outlet is disposed in a third plane disposed parallel to the first plane.
5. The filtration arrangement of claim 1, wherein the housing is disc shaped and wherein the primary inlet is defined proximate a central portion of the housing and wherein the plurality of secondary inlets are disposed radially outward from the primary inlet.
6. The filtration arrangement of claim 1, wherein the filtration element is of a cylindrical shape.
7. The filtration arrangement of claim 1, wherein the filtration element comprises an open cell urethane foam.
8. A flow generating device for use in providing a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient, the flow generating device comprising:
- a main housing having an ambient air inlet and a breathing gas outlet defined therein;
- a flow generating arrangement disposed within the housing for producing the flow of breathing gas, the flow generating arrangement coupled between the air inlet and the breathing gas outlet and being structured to receive a flow of ambient air from the air inlet and provide the flow of breathing gas to the breathing gas outlet; and
- a filtration arrangement comprising: a filtration element; and a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein, the housing comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall portion extending between the first end and the second end; an outlet defined in the housing proximate the first end: a primary inlet defined in the housing proximate the second end; and a plurality of secondary inlets defined in the wall portion,
- wherein the first end of the housing is coupled to the main housing encircling the air inlet,
- wherein the primary inlet and the secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate all or portions of the flow of the ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element, and
- wherein the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the flow of ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary inlet and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.
9. The flow generating device of claim 8, wherein the primary inlet is disposed generally in a first plane and wherein at least one of the secondary inlets is disposed generally in a second plane angled with respect to the first plane.
10. The flow generating device of claim 8, wherein the primary inlet has a primary inlet area, wherein each of the secondary inlets have a secondary inlet area, wherein the outlet has an outlet area, wherein the primary inlet area is greater than or equal to the outlet area, and wherein a combined area of all of the secondary inlet areas greater than or equal to the outlet area.
11. The flow generating device of claim 9, wherein the outlet is disposed in a third plane disposed parallel to the first plane.
12. The flow generating device of claim 8, wherein the filtration element is of a cylindrical shape and comprises an open cell urethane foam.
13. The flow generating device of claim 8, wherein the housing of the filtration arrangement is disposed about a central axis, and wherein the housing of the filtration arrangement may readily be uncoupled or recoupled to the main housing via rotation of the housing of the filtration arrangement about the central axis in one of a first or a second direction.
14. A system for providing a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient, the system comprising:
- a patient interface structured to be engaged with the airway of the patient; and
- a flow generating device comprising: a main housing having an ambient air inlet and a breathing gas outlet defined therein, the outlet being coupled to the patient interface; a flow generating arrangement disposed within the housing for producing the flow of breathing gas, the flow generating arrangement coupled between the air inlet and the breathing gas outlet and being structured to receive a flow of ambient air from the air inlet and provide the flow of breathing gas to the breathing gas outlet and subsequently to the patient interface; and a filtration arrangement comprising: a filtration element; and a housing disposed around, and retaining the filtration element therein, the housing comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a wall portion extending between the first end and the second end; an outlet defined in the housing proximate the first end; a primary inlet defined in the housing proximate the second end; and a plurality of secondary inlets defined in the wall portion,
- wherein the first end of the housing is coupled to the main housing encircling the air inlet,
- wherein the primary inlet and the secondary inlets are positioned and structured to communicate all or portions of the flow of the ambient air from the surrounding environment to the filtration element, and
- wherein the outlet is positioned and structured to communicate the flow of ambient air that has passed through the filtration element from one or more of the primary inlet and secondary inlets to the air inlet of the flow generating device.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the primary inlet is disposed generally in a first reference plane and wherein at least one of the secondary inlets is disposed generally in a second reference plane disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the first plane.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2020
Publication Date: May 6, 2021
Patent Grant number: 11883690
Inventor: Kenneth E. Cole, JR. (New Alexandria, PA)
Application Number: 17/021,309